Why the Guardian Novels are a Cause-Driven Series

I stood on the shores of the Zambezi River as a spark for a story pierced my soul. After three weeks of traveling across the country, witnessing the reality of those forgotten by the world, and facing a major change in my career, I knew that one day I’d write about this place. Little did I know that it would be years before I found the courage to write my first novel, The Disillusioned. I was so afraid of failing to capture the story that I wrote the novel without telling anyone. When it was finished I reached out to a friend in the TV industry and her response encouraged me to step out in faith and publish. I share this with you because those days on the Zambezi defined my passion as a storyteller.

What I discovered throughout the writing process was that using my experiences traveling to the poorest places in the world over several decades fueled my drive to create the Guardian Novels, a series filled with mystery, suspense, and adventure. All of those remain aspects of each story, but from the first novel the stark reality of the fight against human trafficking has continued to be an underlying thread throughout. It’s one reason why I’ve defined this series as being cause-driven novels. My hope is that readers will be entertained, but will also be inspired to make a difference in the world when they flip that last page.

Writing the second novel, Waking Lazarus, was challenging to continue in the cause-driven storytelling style. To capture this story in a unique way, the novel spans nearly a century as readers are taken back to the 1920’s and then return to present day on a global adventure. It also pushes readers further into the worlds of child slavery, poverty, and the darkness of secrets. I’m humbled that the Guardian Novels, and the cause-driven storytelling style, have garnered the attention of Hollywood’s elite.

The Guardian Novels are meant to go beyond storytelling toward raising awareness for causes and issues many face around the world. While the stories draw readers in, my hope is that the messages will lead them to a deeper place that bridges the gap between fiction and reality. With that said, I’ve launched the Guardian Alliance as an extension not only of the books, but of my missional DNA. Each month we feature a new cause or nonprofit through our monthly updates on social media, email, interviews, and beyond. To see more about some of these great organizations check out the Guardian Alliance page.